Social Economy Collective Agreement: Protest in Vienna Before Next Round of Negotiations

Before the - so far unsuccessful - collective agreement negotiations in the social economy continue on Thursday, the employee side wants to increase the pressure: With a "protest day" in Vienna including a rally by GPA and vida, they want to emphasize their demands for a four percent wage increase. The employer side has so far offered the approximately 130,000 employees in the private health, social, and care sector 2.5 percent.

Employers offer 2.5 percent - Union wants more

"Not to be taken seriously," said GPA chief negotiator Eva Scherz. The negotiations were interrupted on October 13 in the second round by the Union of Private Employees and the service union vida. The employer's offer of a 2.5 percent wage and salary increase over two years corresponds to only a 1.25 percent increase per year, it was said. This is "insufficient and not a basis for further negotiations today," Scherz explained at the time, announcing company meetings, precautionary strike resolutions, and rallies. In addition to a higher wage increase, they are demanding an improvement in working conditions, especially in part-time work.

Demo starts at the Vienna Parliament, 2,000 participants expected

At the rally on Wednesday, where among others GPA federal manager Mario Ferrari will speak, the GPA expects around 2,000 people. The demonstration starts at 12:30 PM at the Parliament, moves to an interim rally at the Town Hall (around 1:30 to 1:45 PM), and merges into the rally by GPA and vida at the Human Rights Square. Many workforces are holding protest company meetings and are partially or completely closing the facilities during this time, such as Bildung im Mittelpunkt or the neunerhaus.

The negotiations will continue on Thursday morning at the ÖGB headquarters. However, one should not expect a conclusion then.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.